Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Ethex Recalls More Morphine and Other Generic Drugs Due to Risk of Oversized Tablets

Ethex Corporation has issued their third major recall this year due to manufacturing defects which could have allowed oversized tablets of Morphine Sulfate and other generic drugs to be commercially released. For consumers, the manufacturing defects pose a risk of a serious and potentially life-threatening overdose.

Earlier this year, in June 2008, Ethex issued a Morphine recall for 65 lots of 30 mg and 60 mg extended release tablets, after some of the tablets were found to contain up to twice the appropriate amount of the active ingredient.

Morphine is a powerful painkiller, which poses a substantial risk of overdose if more than the prescribed amount of the drug is given. Symptoms of a Morphine overdose could include low blood pressure, respiratory depression or sudden death.

The 15mg Morphine Sulfate Extended Release Tablets are a green oval with “15″ on one side and an “E” on the reverse. The 15mg Morphine Sulfate Immediate Release Tablet is a round brown tablet with a “15″ on one side and “ETH” on the back. The 30 mg Morphine Sulfate Immediate Release Tablet is a capsule shaped brown tablet with “30″ on one side and “ETHEX” on the reverse.

Propafenone HCl is a generic drug used to treat irregular heartbeats, which can cause low blood pressure and arrhythmias in the case of an overdose. The Propafenone Hydrochloride tablets are white and round with “ETH” on one side and the reverse side featuring a bisect and “331″ on the 150mg tablets, “332″ on the 225mg tablets and “333″ on the 300 mg tablets.

Dextroamphetamine Sulfate is a psychostimulant drug used to treat narcolepsy and ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Receiving excess doses could increase the risk of hypertension, blurred vision, tachycardia, dizziness, upset stomach, tremors, insomnia, headaches, decreased appetite and dry mouth. The tablets are round and orange with “ETHEX” and “312″ on one side and double scored on the reverse.

Isosorbate Mononitrate is a generic drug used to treat hypertension, arrhythmias and reduction of angina. Oversized tablets could increase the risk of fainting and low blood pressure. The Isosorbate Mononitrate Extended Release tablets are oval with a reddish/pink color, containing a bisect on one side, and the reverse featuring a debossed “E” with “30″ on the 30mg tablets and “60″ on the 60mg tablets.

Ethex has notified pharmacies and retailers to contact consumers who had prescriptions for these generic drugs filled.

They are requesting that any unused portion of the recalled drugs be returned for a refund or replacement. However, product liability lawyers who have been investigating potential Morphine recall lawsuits against Ethex have recommended that if a serious reaction or overdose has been caused by the drugs, that any remaining product be stored in a manner to prevent further use pending review of any potential legal claims.